Opening up the Zotac MAG N01
Has anyone found a way to open up the MAG? I've got one, but I may return it if it's not easily opened up. I haven't taken a screw driver to it yet for obvious reasons. I'd like to upgrade the HD and memory, but may wait and get the newer barebones model(ND11) that can be opened. Speaking of the ND11... when will they show up at my favorite eTailer?
Any thoughts?
redjr...
News Flash - The MAG Opened UP!
I decided to try and open up my brand new MAG. I'm fairly handy that way and decided to see if I could figure it and do it without marring the case or breaking anything. After all, it's been sitting in the box while I decide to return it or not. So.... last night I carefully looked it over and decided to give it a try.
First let me say that the MAG can indeed be opened. Once it is, both the memory and HD can be upgraded. The memory is typical notebook memory and is easily accessible. The HD on the other hand, is a little more difficult. In order to swap it out you must also take out the mobo because the HD is secured by 2 screws(or more) on the back side of the mobo. I didn't get that far, because I don't have a larger HD yet.
Steps;
1) There are 3 screws on the bottom of the unit that must first be removed. There are 2 large screws and a tiny screw. The small screw is harder to get to, but a jewelers #1 phillips-head will do the trick. Remove all three.
2) The side of the unit that is removed is the back side or VESA mounting side. It is held on with tabs that lock over plastic mounts molded into the inside of the two sides. The top and bottom use different type tabs that are more snap type tabs. I started with the right side where the VGA connector is and the plastic fitting just above it. I wondered what that slot was used for and the answer is nothing - at least on the MAG. It is filled with a piece of foam. Using a small-ish style nylon panel popper I was able to release three of the four tabs on the right side. I then worked my way across the bottom and carefully 'popped' the snaps on the bottom. I then worked my way up the left side - continuing to use the panel popper to very gently release the locking tabs. There was one stubborn tab at the top of the right side still that I could not get released. After a bit more gentle nudging and with two of the sides completely free I was able to work it free. At the point, the top of the back cover simply snapped off. Voila. I managed to release all tabs without breaking or bending any of them, or scratching or nicking the unit. There it was. I was starring at the inside of my brand new MAG.
3) That was as far as I took it last night. I even put it back together. Now I knew I could get back into it with relative ease. The second time around should be much easier now that I know where the locking tabs are. Actually, snapping it back together proved a little more difficult than first thought. But I persisted and everything snapped back into place. You would never know it had been opened.
